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Our sister parish, Precious Blood of Jesus, Potino, Haiti
Our sister parish, Precious Blood of Jesus, in Potino is a place like no other. It’s nestled in a valley in the mountains of Haiti and the journey is rough, even though we were using a four wheel drive vehicle. We traveled over very rocky terrain, hair pin turns and through rivers.
The scenery is beautiful and the people are so warm and welcoming. However, it is a hard life for people in Potino. There’s no electricity or running water, no internet or phone, and long, difficult walks to go to market for food and supplies. In some ways it feels like we’ve stepped back in time and yet seeing a symbol on t-shirt is a reminder we haven’t.
The pews in church are simple, handmade portable benches. The floor is made of river stone as many other things, since it is plentiful from the nearby riverbed. There's an old generator that powers the church on dark mornings and evenings. Precious Blood of Jesus has three schools, with about 20 educators for almost 400 children. Some of the teachers and students have to walk an hour or two to get to school. All the teaching happens from the chalkboard currently because they can’t afford supplies.
The Pastor, Fr Edouard has been in Potino for 4 1/2 years. He’s a sincere, compassionate man who impressed us with his leadership. Without an governing body in the village, or police, or medical care, people come to him for a variety of reasons.
We typically travel to visit our sister parish about once a year.
WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
Join our team! Interested in learning more about our brothers and sisters in Haiti? Want to help with parish efforts to alleviate suffering? Would you consider traveling to our sister Parish? Haiti Outreach meetings are about six times a year.
Prayer: Please include the people of our sister parish, Precious Blood of Jesus, in your prayers.Direct Donation: Checks payable to "St. Albert's", write HAITI on the memo line and place it in the collection basket at church. All donations are tax deductible.
For more information:
Maria, 469-4656
Nathan, 577-8287
Julie Wiedmeyer, 837-3798; julie@saintalberts.org
